Voter turnout in Assam 78.94%, 77.90% in Puducherry and 77.68% in West Bengal till 5.30 pm

New Delhi: In the poll-bound states of Assam and West Bengal, polling for the third phase of assembly elections is progressing smoothly. Polling for the single-phase elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry along with the Lok Sabha by-polls for Kanniyakumari seat in Tamil Nadu and Malappuram seat in Kerala is also being held simultaneously.

The average voter turnout registered in Assam was 78.94 per cent till 05.30 pm. In Kerala, it was 69.98 per cent and in Puducherry, 77.90 per cent. Tamil Nadu witnessed 63.03 per cent, West Bengal 77.68 per cent, Malappuram P.C.  67.96 per cent and Kanyakumari P.C. had observed 52.20 per cent voter turnout till 5.30 pm.

People were seen standing in long queues in front of the polling stations right from the beginning. All the necessary facilities and security arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polling during this phase.

The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is being used along with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at every polling station, with a view to enhance the transparency and credibility of the election process.

The polling will be conducted till 6.00 pm in Assam while it will continue till 6.30 pm in West Bengal. In case of Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, polling will continue till 7.00 pm, barring the Left-Wing extremism affected areas where it will be held till 6.00 pm.